In the presence or absence of immediate indications of hypertension-mediated organ damage, a sudden, dramatic, and persistent rise in blood pressure (BP) values exceeding 180/120 mmHg is now described as a hypertensive emergency or urgency.
Beyond the extent of the rise in blood pressure and absolute blood pressure levels, early detection of these disorders is critical from both a prognosis and therapeutic standpoint. Clinical observation with regular BP measurements and modest BP decreases while administering oral antihypertensive medication therapy in persons with hypertensive urgencies is recommended by current European recommendations.
When dealing with hypertensive crises or urgencies, two elements should always be kept in mind, regardless of the etiology or clinical presentation.
- First, information from randomized controlled trials regarding the optimal therapy regimen or medicine is lacking.
- The second is that BP reductions should be achieved gradually in both circumstances to avoid severe BP dips and consequences due to insufficient blood supply to the brain, kidneys, or heart.
Given the widespread prevalence of hypertension in both low- and high-income nations and the steadily rising number of hospitalizations due to hypertension or hypertension-related comorbidities, hypertension crises or urgencies have received more attention in recent years. Several clinical studies have been conducted to identify predisposing factors that may promote hypertensive emergencies or urgencies; these studies revealed that the most critical factors responsible for the rapid rise in BP levels are low adherence to prescribed antihypertensive medications, discontinuation from BP-lowering drugs, overuse (or abuse) of illicit substances or recreational drugs, and poor control of concomitant medications (e.g., smoke, obesity, hypercholesterolemia, and diabetes)
Furthermore, various hypertensive phenotypes, such as masked and white-coat hypertension, have been linked to an increased risk of hospitalizations due to uncontrolled hypertension, emphasizing the need to assess blood pressure management throughout 24 hours.
When a person’s blood pressure is continually high, they have hypertension. A constant value of at least 140/90 mm Hg is defined as grade 1 hypertension by the International Society of Hypertension.
According to the American College of Cardiology and the American Heart Association, people with hypertension should keep their blood pressure below 130/80 mm Hg.
Hypertension raises a person’s chance of having various heart-related problems, including heart disease, heart attacks, and stroke.
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